'Sport in schools is key in improving grades'

Leading by example: Mo Farah, who campaigns for sports funding, on a visit to his old school, Isleworth and Syon

Pupils who do not get involved in sport will “hit a ceiling” academically, the head of the Youth Sport Trust warned today.

Chief executive John Steele said physical activity was essential to improving grades, and warned that schools that did not promote sport or PE would not be able to maximise their exam results.

He said: “If we don’t develop the body, the mind will hit a ceiling. Sport should not be seen as an extra. It is a part of a child’s education and if we fail to provide that we are setting up problems for future years.”

It comes after Mo Farah and his wife raised concerns that funding for school sport has been slashed and called on the Government to protect the Olympic legacy.

Speaking this month, Tania Farah said sports funding cuts were a “huge shame” and said more should be done to discover and nurture young talent in state schools.